Introduction to Ayurveda (Part One)
Although Ayurvedic medicine has its roots in the ancient Vedic texts of India, it is as much alive and relevant today as it was then. Just as Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeply engrained in the traditions and culture of China, Ayurvedic principles permeate through the Indian way of life. Ayurveda is the ”science of life”, a belief tthat every individual being is a microcosmic manifestation of the macrocosm, the Universe. Both TCM and Ayurveda are holistic healing systems addressing internal imbalances resulting from a disharmony with nature and the Universe. In TCM we see the Five Element Theory of water, fire, earth, metal and wood. In Ayurveda there is a similar pattern of water, fire, earth, air and ether. TCM defines a person in terms of yin, yang and qi energy integrating and changing in a cyclical manner. Ayurveda is based on a similar harmony of three energies or ”doshas”, vata, pitta and kapha, controlling all physio-pathological changes.
The three doshas consist of the five elements in different proportions: Vata combines air and ether; pitta combines fire and earth; kapha combines water and earth. Each person is born with a unique combination of all three doshas which creates his own constitution or ”prakruti/prakriti/prakrti”. One or two doshas are normally dominant within the prakruti and determine the individual’s physical, mental and emotional characteristics. The mind/body strives to maintain this delicate balance between internal doshas and those of its natural environment to achieve optimum health through its lifetime. According to Ayurveda, your prakruti does not usually change during your lifetime. It is determined at the time of your conception and will remain with you for the rest of your life. It is as fixed as your fingerprint or footprint and, although it may change temporarily in traumatic cirmcumstances, it cannot be permanently altered. Knowing your personal constitution helps you to develop ways in which you can create and maintain harmony for good health throughout your life and to have an awareness of who you are and what you can do to improve yourself. It can help you to recognize your vulnerability to certain illnesses, the ways you react to stressful situations, and your body’s need for certain exercises, foods, routines and general lifestyle.
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